closed in, and waited, occupying the middle of the road. In an instant, and as the moon broke from behind a cloud, they saw at a turning of the road two horsemen who, on perceiving them, stopped in their turn, appearing to deliberate whether they should continue their route or go back. The hesitation created some suspicion in the three friends, and Athos, advancing a few paces in front of the others, cried in a firm voice, “Who goes there?”
“Who goes there, yourselves?” replied one of the horsemen.
“That is not an answer,” replied Athos. “Who goes there? Answer, or we charge.”
“Beware of what you are about, gentlemen!” said a clear voice which seemed accustomed to command.
“It is some superior officer making his night rounds,” said Athos. “What do you wish, gentlemen?”
“Who are you?” said the same voice, in the same commanding tone. “Answer in your turn, or you may repent of your disobedience.”
“King’s Musketeers,” said Athos, more and more convinced that he who interrogated them had the right to do so.
“What company?”
“Company of Tréville.”
“Advance, and give an account of what you are doing here at this hour.”
The three companions advanced rather humbly—for all were now convinced that they had to do with someone more powerful than themselves—leaving Athos the post of speaker.